Living in Isolation By Kliphton Taylor

Living in the 1960's was difficult; folks were avoiding homosexuality like it was the plague. In fact, they deemed it was a disease. They deemed it unclean, devilish and unnatural. Hello, my name is Joshua B. Hardeman, and I am a homosexual. Born to a family of middle class in July of 1941 in Berkeley, California, I quickly developed a tolerance for hatred. You may think California is a haven, it is not. I stand about six feet tall. Friends say my personality well matches my looks. My skin resembles caramel, I am obsessed. Effervescent like champagne, my personality remains. Because I am a top Business man I wear creased suits. Even on the weekends I dress for success. Although I am happy to be alive, living can be dreadful. Especially when working in a place of insufferable homophobes. Women compliment me, if only they knew that I was dickly. The sexually secure men stare daggers at me. Unfortunately after arriving late to the office, I had to reveal myself to them. Afterwards I was truly disavowed. Before confessing my homosexuality I was offered another position, head IT Director in Sacramento, I accepted gratefully. Immediately I aspired to be more substantial than the previous IT Directors, so that I would win respect a proper way. Still I live in Sacramento in a humbled environment. My neighbors and I get along quite well, they aren't homophobic. The conversations we have intrigue me, completely fading the rude comments I endure at work. Day by day, I strive to pry open the closed minds of people, just by being me. Freely. Between oppressed homosexuals, persons of disabilities and age lay a few differences. I am deprived of equality. I have the right to live freely. Love is genderless. Love is animate. The circle of life, I am constantly removed from. I want in. Persons of disability and age suffer

inappropriate slander. They desire equality as well, but people still treat them like crap. They are forced into rehabilitation centers where no one loves them. People deem them useless, extra. My life in comparison to those of minorities and mental/ physical disabilities is intriguing. All we desire is equality, equal rights. There is no such thing as normalcy. A conclusion has yet to surface. I will continue living, shamelessly, until my time comes.